The Phoenix Traveler

Holiday Cocktails
The Rim Lobby Lounge at the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa (north side of Greenway Parkway past 68th Street) is the place to go this winter if you want try what the mixologist (fancy name for bartender) has created for you. Ask for the new Organic Mexican Macciato, made with organic coffee and organic tequila, or the Caramel Apple-Tini pictured here. It’s made with applesauce (Really?), Bailey’s Caramel liquor and Smirnoff Apple Vodka–quite a twist on a classic treat. Make sure they dip your apple slice in caramel sauce, like they do for the picture.
Champagne and Ice Wine …read more

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An article in today’s Arizona Republic, the statewide newspaper owned by Gannett, reports on the strategic moves that one hotel is making towards going green and getting greener. Wild Horse Pass Resort & Hotel, the articles states, is making several changes, but I noted a few that were beyond what I think is the norm. They have, for example:
_chosen a hybrid vehicle, the Yukon, over the Hummer, to transport guests from the hotel to the golf course and equestrian center.
_stopped buying Arrowhead and now use water that is bottled on the Gila River Reservation (where the resort is located) to …read more

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Check it out! One of my posts, “Live & Local: Shallow Water” was tagged at JabberTags by a fan as a popular public link in the Boomer category. I do not know the person who tagged me. How cool is that?!
You can see it for yourself right here.
The site compiles the “best the web has to offer. That’s cool, and I’m honored to be tagged. Does that make me an “it” girl now?
Technorati Tags: boomer,JabberTags,popular sites,Phoenix travel,Phoenix bloggers

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A note posted on the Havasupai Tribe’s Web site says “Supai is closed until further notice.” They expect it may take up to four weeks to repair the damage to trails, bridges and more that was caused by the flash flooding on Sunday. If you had reservations to hike or camp in Havasu Canyon, including down to the falls, call the tribe’s tourism office: 928-448-2121 or 928-448-2141. At this time, the area is closed to tourists. Also, if you do call the tourism office, be aware that the phone lines are extremely busy. No one was answering today, and …read more

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You’ve probably been hearing the word, staycation. It’s the new buzz word for folks who decide to stay closer to home for that next vacation. Rather than taking off to Europe or investing in a sea cruise, they plan a trip in-state, or even at a resort near the hometown. Summertime is the perfect time to do that in Phoenix. Valley resorts offer great deals at high-end properties. You can find a list of them here.
To make this kind of long weekend even more affordable, book a suite or a room with a mini kitchen and stock up on …read more

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If you enjoy looking at art, meeting the artists and exploring unique galleries–and want to know where you can find all three–these Arizona towns and cities schedule regular art walks once a month. For August, here are the basic details. Click on the links or call to learn more:
FLAGSTAFF: First Friday Art Walk, August 1 – The free outdoor event downtown features selected artists from a 40-artist co-operative, a map to other galleries, and refreshments and munchies. Begin at the Artists Gallery, 17 N. San Francisco St., 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. 928-773-0958.
PHOENIX: Artlink First Fridays, August 1 – This …read more

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When Charlie Keating opened the lush, tropical Phoenician Resort at the base of Camelback Mountain in 1988, he was respectful enough of the Sonoran Desert to maintain a bit of the land’s integrity. Salvaging a few giant saguaros and plump barrel cacti, the developer’s plan included the addition of a hidden amenity–the Cactus Garden.
Within a cliff-shaded alcove between the mountain and guestroom buildings, along the property’s northern edge, Keating’s landscapers made use of the vegetation naturally present in Arizona. They also transplanted more than 200 varieties of cacti and succulents from around the world–mostly from South America. Now a Starwood …read more

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I ride a mountain bike whenever I can—all year-long—but I don’t normally ride it on rocky terrain. These days, however, I’m in need of more of a challenge.
So, I left my usual asphalt, canal bank and grass behind to drive 45 minutes east of my house in north Phoenix for more challenging trails at McDowell Mountain Regional Park in Scottsdale. If you’ve never done this before, I recommend a guide, especially if you don’t know what to expect…injuries, for example.
I met Bernard Philippe from Arizona Outback Adventures at he park before the sun rose and was happy to see I’d …read more

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Too hot out to take a hike? Tired of swimming laps? Don’t want to spend money on a movie? If you’re spending your days unsure of what to do with your nights, consider these four no-cost ideas. Each of them offer something unique to Phoenix and take you to areas where there’s more to explore than saguaros. Though, you know, there’s nothing wrong with saguaros:
Summer Band Concerts: Historic Downtown Glendale, every Thursday evening during July, beginning at 8 p.m. The concerts take place at the Murphy Park Amphitheatre at 58th and Glendale avenues. Bring lawn chairs or blankets, and cash …read more

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Okay, I admit it. I’m not a big fan of 4th of July parades and crowds, but I love the fireworks. The big challenge for me, then, is finding the perfect place to watch the colorful sky without having to fight the crowds.
Since I live in a city surrounded by mountains–a few with restaurants high up on a hill–it’s my preference to go there. If you can get a reservation, here are a few picks:
My favorite, because I live nearby, is the outdoor patio at a Different Pointe of View. Across the street from North Mountain on 7th Street, the restaurant sits on top of …read more

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